Deck Railing Installation: 4 Things To Consider

3 February 2019
 Categories: , Blog

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Whether you are having a deck installed or you already have one, deck railings are an integral component of a deck. They not only serve as an eye-appealing feature, but they serve as a safety feature as well. Now, when it comes to deck railings, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you start the installation process.

City and State Building Codes

To ensure that you don't run into any legal issues, take the time to research the building codes for your city and state. Generally, these codes will outline the maximum height and space that is allowed between the deck railing bars. In addition, you may need to acquire a permit before building can commence.

Materials

There are so many different types of materials available that can be used to build your deck railings out of, such as aluminum, wood, stain steel, glass, wrought iron, and vinyl. Each of these materials come with their own pros and cons. For instance, wood is a beautiful, classic option, but to ensure it doesn't rot, it requires a significant amount of maintenance. Glass permits easy views of the landscape, but it doesn't offer much in terms of privacy.

Location

Where is your deck located, or where will it be located? The location of your deck plays a huge role in how the railings will potentially fare. For instance, do you have a sprinkler system installed in your lawn? If so and it is near the deck, you will need to ensure that you choose a material that is water-, rot-, and rust-resistant like stainless steel. If your deck is near a swimming pool, you will need to choose a material that is impervious to chemicals like chlorine such as wrought iron.

Maintenance

Finally, you will want to take into consideration how much maintenance your deck and deck railings will require—and how much effort you are willing to put forth into the upkeep of your deck and railings. For instance, stainless steel, aluminum, and composite materials tend to require very little to no maintenance. Glass tends to be low maintenance, requiring the cleaning of water spots every now and then and little handprints if you have small children. Wood requires the most maintenance of them all—regular staining or painting and sealing.  

If you have any questions or would like more information on deck railing installation, contact professional companies like Rainier Fencing & Decking.